Eric Barone has embarked on a new journey with his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier, building on the foundation laid by Stardew Valley. Reflecting on his previous work, Barone articulated how Stardew Valley was centered around the “fundamentals of human sustenance.” He said, > “Stardew Valley was a very grounded game—it’s about growing things in the earth. These are the basics, the fundamentals of human sustenance and existence, and something I care about deeply.”

In contrast, his new project aims to delve into deeper, more imaginative themes. Barone expressed interest in evolving the crafting system from a traditional format to a more intuitive approach, suggesting a mix of creativity and spontaneity in chocolate-making rather than rigid mechanics. In his words, > “What if it’s not such a mechanical process and it’s more creative? You have to let go of your designer to engineer the perfect chocolate and just accept there’s a mystery and a whimsy.”

Barone’s inspirational insights point towards exploring what lies beyond basic needs, diving into realms of luxury and the ethereal with Haunted Chocolatier. He emphasized the importance of creativity in the human experience, stating, > “It’s another realm of the human experience which I’m interested in exploring.”

As Haunted Chocolatier nears its release, fans eagerly await how Barone’s vision will redefine crafting and gameplay mechanics, marking another significant milestone in his remarkable career.